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Wednesday, 2 November 2011

The Rev Hamilton Lloyd 1919 - 2011

Ham Lloyd at home

A very dear friend, Hamilton 'Ham' Lloyd, the vicar of Litchfield, died on 29th October 2011, aged 92. Ham was finest of men, noble, erudite and open-hearted. A fine cricketer and raconteur and a man of deep faith as well as love of country, he treated everyone the same - from the bishop and the squire to parishioners of every rank - and was equally loved by all.

This short obituary has appeared in the Whitchurch and Litchfield Parish Magazine:

The Reverend Hamilton Lloyd

9th July 1919 – 29th October 2011

in memoriam

Hamilton Lloyd, “Ham” died on 29th October 2011. His life spanned 92 years. He was born just after the end of the First World War in Birchgrove, Swansea and was educated at Cardiff High School before going up to Oxford to read history. He was the only child of William and Hilda Lloyd.

Whilst at Oxford the Second World War broke out and he joined the University Air Squadron and thence the Royal Air Force. He flew spitfires and hurricanes.

Owing to the development of an eyesight problem he could not continue to fly for the duration of the War and decided to train for ordination in the Church of England. He attended Ripon Hall Theological College, Oxford in 1942 and married Suzanne Moon. It was to be wonderfully happy marriage that lasted for over 65 years. They had one son, Christopher.

Hamilton was ordained in 1944 and served as curate at St. Charles the Martyr, Falmouth, Cornwall. In 1947 he became Rector of St. Gerrans with St. Anthony in Roseland. After four years he left the Diocese of Truro and joined the Diocese of Winchester. The family moved to Bournemouth where Hamilton oversaw the building of a new church, Holy Epiphany.

The move from Holy Epiphany to All Hallows, Whitchurch came in 1960. At that time the united benefice was made up of Whitchurch and Tufton. During his tenure Litchfield was added. After many happy years, including many games of cricket, Hamilton and Suzanne moved to the parish of St. Michael and All Angels, Lyndhurst and stayed there until he reached the retirement age of 65.

But retirement was not for him and he gladly accepted the invitation to look after the little church of St. James the Less at Litchfield. This he continued to do until he died – some 28 years. The last service he took was Harvest Festival on 2nd October this year.

His second wife, Cecilia, survives him as does his son, Christopher, four grandsons and five great grandchildren.

He will be sadly missed - as will his monthly musings from Litchfield which he penned for the parish magazine.

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